The improvement of odometry systems in collective robotics remains an important challenge for several applications. In this work, we propose a localisation strategy in which robots have no access to centralised information. Each robot has an estimate of its own location and an associated confidence level that decreases with distance travelled. Robots use estimates advertised by neighbouring rob...

OBJECTIVE To illustrate the possible role of cerebral oximetry and stroke distance as measured by Doppler ultrasound in monitoring the critically ill patient non-invasively in the emergency department. METHODS Five critically ill patients were monitored with either cerebral oximetry or both cerebral oximetry and stroke distance (the distance travelled by blood in the aorta with each ventricul...

This study examined the technical and tactical variables that determine performance before departure during a race in all wind conditions. Data were collected from 44 Olympic-class windsurfers who participated World Cup Allianz Regatta. Distance to start line speed 5 s departure, distance when starting, travelled time at each leg recorded via GPS (5 Hz). Average was calculated through time. Res...

INTRODUCTION The availability of specialized HIV services is limited in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa where the need is the greatest. Where HIV services are available, people living with HIV (PLHIV) must overcome large geographic, economic and social barriers to access healthcare. The objective of this study was to understand the unique barriers PLHIV face when accessing healthcare compared...

Questions: (1) How does the effort that birds invest in harvesting acorns, including the distance the acorns are moved – a key factor affecting population structure of the trees – covary with the size of the acorn crop? (2) How well are harvest patterns, previously inferred by indirect, genetic methods, matched by data from direct observations of harvesting? Organisms: The acorn woodpecker (Mel...

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are a group of common metabolites and semiochemicals mediating information transfer between higher organisms and bacteria, either from microbiome or external environment. VFAs commonly occur among various insect orders. There are numerous studies exploring their influence on the behavior of different insect species. In relation to the papers published by J. E. McFarl...

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of colonoscopy for diagnosing and preventing colon cancer is largely dependent on the ability of endoscopists to fully inspect the colonic mucosa, which they achieve primarily through skilled manipulation of the colonoscope during withdrawal. Performance assessment during live procedures is problematic. However, a virtual withdrawal simulation can help identify and ...

BACKGROUND KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, has among the highest burden of XDR TB worldwide with the majority of cases occurring due to transmission. Poor access to health facilities can be a barrier to timely diagnosis and treatment of TB, which can contribute to ongoing transmission. We sought to determine the geographic distribution of XDR TB patients and proximity to health facilities...